East Midlands forces raising the profile of counter-terrorist policing

Police forces across the East Midlands will be supporting the Association of Chief Police Officers’s national counter terrorism week (November 24-30), helping businesses, service providers and the public to understand how we all have a role to play in keeping the region – and Britain – safe.

Across the region, police and partner agencies will deliver briefings and presentations and engage with a range of different groups as each day of the week focuses on a different theme.

Monday 24 November – crowded places

Tuesday 25 November – transport

Wednesday 26 November – preventing extremism

Thursday 27 November – financing terrorism

Friday 28 November – firearms and explosives

Deputy Chief Constable East Midlands Peter Goodman said: “In the East Midlands, as in every region of the country, our officers are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to protect the public from a terrorist attack.

“While there is currently no known direct threat to our region, nationally several plots have been disrupted and many arrests have been made.

“We know that a number of our residents have travelled to Syria and Iraq because they sympathise with groups engaged in the conflict in that part of the world. Therefore we know there are people living in the East Midlands who are open to groups who may openly promote violence and terrorism, so we cannot afford to be complacent.

“We want residents to be alert, but not alarmed. There is much that we can all do as citizens and as service providers, business owners or as managers of public areas and facilities to help bolster the protection provided by the police, and to prevent the opportunity for a terrorist attack in our region.”

Business and service providers in the East Midlands will be among 6,000 nationally that will receive briefings on Monday about having effective security measures in place, detecting potential threats and responding appropriately.

Mr Goodman added: “In addition to the support businesses can give in busy places such as shopping centres, we’ll be talking to those who use and manage our transport hubs, such as railway stations, motorway service stations and, of course, East Midlands airport, urging them to be vigilant too.

“Our Prevent engagement officers will continue their excellent work with community groups, schools and colleges about the dangers of extremist ideologies. We’ll also be providing advice about how best to support genuine humanitarian causes working in the Middle East and elsewhere.

“We’ll be engaging directly with firearms dealers and gun clubs about the security and diligence they need to provide when selling or holding weapons. The East Midlands will also host the national launch of a fertiliser safety campaign, urging farmers to be aware that fertiliser is sometimes known to be an element used to make improvised explosives.”

Throughout the week, however, the overriding message is a direct appeal to all members of the public.

“Please tell us if you know or suspect something; your information could save lives,” said Mr Goodman.

“We will deal with information passed to us carefully and respond sensitively and proportionately.”

Anyone with concerns or suspicions can call the national hotline on 0800 789 321.